Luis Suárez said his two goals against England had gone a long way to silence the critics who did not think he would be fit enough to play against Roy Hodgson’s team.

Having undergone a knee operation last month, there had been concerns over the 27-year-old’s participation in Brazil – talk that was fuelled by the fact he was not deemed fit enough to feature in Uruguay’s embarrassing defeat to Costa Rica on Saturday. However, Suárez returned against England and how, scoring either side of Wayne Rooney’s first World Cup goal to help Óscar Tabárez’s side to a vital 2-1 win in São Paulo.

Defeat would have left them facing the prospect of World Cup elimination, but the result at the Arena Corinthians means it is England teetering over the precipice.

A draw between Italy and Costa Rica on Friday would confirm the Three Lions’ exit, with Suárez unable to stop himself crowing about the result. “It has been like a dream,” he said. “It is something I have dreamt about very often. It was one of the best games I’ve played. It’s an amazing moment for me. Maybe a few days ago I thought this wouldn’t be possible.

“Before the game too many people in England laughed about my attitude over the last few years. This is a very good time for me. I want to see what they think now.”

Despite the elation of victory, Suárez felt the pain of his Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard. His slip against Chelsea is seen as one of the key reasons the Reds’ title charge came to an end, while his unfortunate header back to goal allowed Suárez to score the winning goal.

“I told him to keep going,” Suárez said. “He’s the best player I’ve played with on the pitch. This is an unlucky moment for him. I don’t like it when he hurts like this. I said: ‘Keep going, forget this game, you’re one of the best.’”